When do prices go up?

[Kiwi-family]

Is there a "usual" time for albergues to raise their prices? I'm thinking they might at the beginning of spring, meaning current prices on Gronze could be expected to go up a wee bit next year. Or is there no pattern? Just curious.

 

[Vacajoe]

The new year tends to bring the new prices, especially those that close over the winter and reopen in the spring.

 

[lt56ny]

THe municipal albergues are the same prices all year. There are also wonderful donativos that you make a contribution. They need your support to keep open. Donativo does not mean free. It is free for those pilgrims who walk with almost no money. I give the same as I would give in a municipal. Double that if they offer a communal dinner. 20-25 Euros. Some albergues have slightly higher rates in high season then low season. I don't think the difference is usually very significant.

 

[CWBuff]

every time you blink (or so it seems as of late)

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola @CWBuff I was going to make a "tongue in cheek" response along your lines, say "yesterday"!
But I think most of the above comments will be pretty close to the mark. Those that take advance bookings will often post their coming pilgrimage season prices.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Earlier this week I booked (and paid for) a non-refundable lodging on booking dot com for €84.
Yesterday I got an email from the owner telling me that I had paid 2023 prices and that in 2024, the new price would be €148 !!!

Needless to say, I was not happy!
I called booking and had them cancel the booking and return my payment.
But sheesh! That's quite a large increase!

 

[CWBuff]

That's crazy! Booking dog com should've stepped in
You "made a deal " and paid for it that should be the end of it
Else if the pattern continues we'll be forced to pay some weird increase at the airport gate right before boarding

 

[auburnfive]

Although I really appreciate the information on Gronze, the price mentioned on the site does not necessarily match what is being charged, especially through booking.com. Useful though for sorting out which is the most and least expensive options.

 

[Brooklinn]

I found that the cost for food and lodging between 2019 and 2022 were similar to all previous years upward shifts in costs on the Camino. However, prices jumped shockingly between my Fall 2022 CF Camino and the June 2023 CF Camino. Annie just had a real world experience and perhaps predictor of what might be coming for some types of lodging. Spain seems reflective of the inflation experienced in our own home countries around the world.

 

[Anniesantiago]

That's crazy! Booking dog com should've stepped in
You "made a deal " and paid for it that should be the end of it
Else if the pattern continues we'll be forced to pay some weird increase at the airport gate right before boarding

Yes, I thought it was pretty bold.
And the guy STILL hasn't updated the prices so the next person booking will probably get the same treatment. I do have to say for the most part, I've been happy with booking dot com - we'll see if they push this fellow to update his rates.

 

[GaryRobArms]

L

Yes, I thought it was pretty bold.
And the guy STILL hasn't updated the prices so the next person booking will probably get the same treatment. I do have to say for the most part, I've been happy with booking dot com - we'll see if they push this fellow to update his rates.

You may have been the target of a scam. Scammers have found a way to access the contact information of accommodation guests that booked through booking.com. They then pose as the accommodation owner and request money, which gets directed to them. Google booking.com scam for a list of news articles on it. Here’s one to BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67591310

 

[Anniesantiago]

L

You may have been the target of a scam. Scammers have found a way to access the contact information of accommodation guests that booked through booking.com. They then pose as the accommodation owner and request money, which gets directed to them. Google booking.com scam for a list of news articles on it. Here’s one to BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67591310

This wasn't a scam. But thanks

 

[WGroleau]

I’m skeptical about any “rule of thumb” for when places will raise prices. It’s true that many will pick the first or last day of a year or month, but they don’t have to.

Also, some places won’t update their websites. And most Camino guides will be way out of date. I purchased a 2016 Michelin guide. It listed an albergue that had not existed for more than five years and did not list one in the same village that was twenty years old!